Most of the fitted furniture we make is painted. Paint suits moisture-resistant MDF and birch plywood, it can be any colour you like, and it lets new furniture sit comfortably with the walls and woodwork of the room. The question is how it’s painted.
There are two main ways: spray painting, done in the workshop before the furniture comes to your home, and hand painting with a brush and roller, which can be done on site. This guide explains how each is done, how they look, how easy they are to touch up and which suits which room.
Two ways to paint fitted furniture
Both methods start with the same thing: well-prepared surfaces and a colour agreed with you. The difference is in how the paint goes on and where.
- Spray painting applies paint as a fine mist, in thin even coats, in a controlled space in the workshop.
- Hand painting applies paint with a brush and roller, coat by coat. It can be done on site once the furniture is fitted.
Neither is better in every case. Each suits different rooms, styles and ways of living.
In both cases, preparation does most of the work. Edges are filled and sanded, surfaces are primed, and each coat is allowed to dry before the next. A good finish depends far more on that care than on the method alone, so it’s worth asking any maker how they prepare and paint.
Spray painting
Spray painting gives a smooth, even, factory-like finish. Because the paint goes on as a fine mist, there are no brush marks, and every surface, edge and corner gets the same thin, level coat. It’s done in the workshop, where dust and temperature can be controlled, so the finish is consistent from door to door.
Spray painting suits:
- modern, flat-fronted doors, where a flawless surface shows best;
- kitchens, where you want a smooth, wipeable surface on every door and drawer front;
- large runs of doors, where the finish needs to match from one end to the other.
Because the furniture is painted before it’s fitted, any filling or touching up of joins and fixings on site is done carefully to blend in.
Hand painting
Hand painting is done with a brush and roller, usually on site after the furniture has been fitted. A skilled hand-painted finish is smooth, but it may show a very slight texture that some people like, especially on panelled doors in a period room.
Hand painting suits:
- traditional styles, such as panelled alcove cupboards and bookcases in a Victorian or Edwardian house;
- rooms where the furniture should match existing painted woodwork, like skirting, doors and window frames;
- pieces where joins, scribes and fixings are painted over after fitting, so everything is finished together.
Hand painting on site means the room needs to stay clear, ventilated and clear of dust while the paint dries.
Spray and hand painting compared
| Spray painted | Hand painted | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it’s done | In the workshop | On site, after fitting |
| Look | Smooth, even, factory-like | Smooth, with a softer handmade character |
| Brush marks | None | Very slight texture possible |
| Best suited to | Flat modern doors, kitchens, long runs | Traditional and period styles |
| Joins and fixings | Touched in after fitting | Painted over with the rest |
| Touching up later | Possible, harder to blend perfectly | Easy to touch up |
| Disruption at home | Less painting on site | Room needed while paint dries |
Thinking about fitted furniture? We design, make and fit it across London: we visit, measure and talk through the design, then send a written quote. Arrange a design visit.
Colours and sheen
Both methods use paint colours agreed with you. You can match the walls so the furniture blends in, match the woodwork, or choose a contrasting colour so the furniture becomes a feature. It helps to look at samples in the room itself, in daylight and in the evening, because colours change with the light.
Sheen matters too. A flatter finish hides small marks and looks soft, but can be harder to clean. A finish with more sheen is easier to wipe but shows dents and fingerprints more. Kitchens and children’s rooms tend to suit a more wipeable finish. Our guide to choosing a paint finish goes into this further.
Touching up and repainting
Painted furniture will pick up the odd knock over the years, especially in hallways, kitchens and children’s rooms. Hand-painted furniture is easy to touch up: a little of the same paint, brushed on, usually blends in well.
Spray-painted surfaces can be touched up too, but a very smooth sprayed finish is harder to match perfectly by hand, so small repairs may be slightly visible up close. On the plus side, a sprayed finish is very even, so wear tends to show less.
Either way, painted furniture can be repainted later if you change the room. Keep a note of the colour and sheen for the future.
Curing and care
Paint feels dry to the touch long before it’s fully cured. Until it cures, it’s softer and more easily marked. Treat new paintwork gently at first: avoid putting heavy objects on new shelves, don’t scrub, and don’t stick tape or labels to it.
For day-to-day cleaning, a soft, damp cloth is usually enough. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh cleaners. Our guide to looking after painted fitted furniture has more tips.
Which to choose
As a rough guide:
- For a modern kitchen, flat-fronted wardrobes or a long run of doors, spray painting gives the cleanest result.
- For panelled alcove cupboards or bookcases in a period room, or where furniture should match existing painted woodwork, hand painting often suits best.
- For a busy family room or hallway, think about which finish will be easiest to keep looking good.
Some projects use both, with sprayed doors and hand-painted scribes and frames finished on site. We talk this through at the design visit, and the finish is agreed in your quote. To arrange a design visit, get in touch.
Quick answers
Is spray painting more hard-wearing than hand painting?
Both can be hard-wearing when properly prepared and cured. Spray painting gives a very even coat; hand painting is easier to touch up. The right choice depends on the room and how it’s used.
Can I choose any colour?
Both methods use paint colours agreed with you, so you can match your walls or woodwork, or pick a contrasting colour.
Will there be brush marks on hand-painted furniture?
A skilled hand-painted finish is smooth, but it can show a very slight texture. Some people like that on traditional furniture.
How soon can I use painted furniture?
Paint needs time to cure fully, so treat it gently at first. Avoid heavy loads, scrubbing and tape on new paintwork.
Can painted furniture be repainted later?
Yes. Painted furniture can be repainted if you redecorate. Keep a note of the original colour and sheen.
Related services
More advice
- Choosing a Paint Finish for Fitted Furniture
- Looking After Painted Fitted Furniture
- MDF vs Plywood for Fitted Furniture
- Planning a Bespoke Kitchen in a London Home
- All advice
This guide is general information about fitted furniture. It isn’t legal, planning or building advice; for those, speak to the council, your landlord or managing agent, or a suitably qualified professional.